SARATOGA, Wyo. (AP) — An owner of the reopened saw mill in Saratoga is backing Sen. John Barrasso's proposal to more than double the amount of logging on U.S. Forest Service land.

The bill would require the Forest Service to develop logging projects on 7.5 million acres already deemed suitable for logging over 15 years. It also tries to prevent delays due to litigation by requiring objections to be handled through arbitration.

During a hearing in Washington Thursday, Clint Georg said freeing up money from litigation would help revitalize rural economies and help reduce the risk of wildfires and insect infestations.

Barrasso hopes to have the bill included in the next Senate Energy Committee public lands meeting. Members would be able to make changes to the bill and decide whether to move it forward.

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